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Chapter 6b - The Holy Ghost – A Higher Spiritual Plane

What if the Holy Ghost was never meant to be just a feeling…
but the beginning of a spiritual ascent back into the presence of God?

Welcome back to The Mormon Mann channel.‍‍ ‍

Introduction

In Part 1, we saw where the Holy Ghost is revealed in Scripture as the Comforter—the Spirit of Truth who dwells in every believer. But in this video, we’re looking at Joseph Smith’s expanded teachings on the Holy Ghost—specifically, The Holy Spirit of Promise, the Sealing Power, and Calling and Election Made Sure.

‍‍According to Joseph Smith, the Holy Spirit of Promise is the power by which a person is sealed unto eternal life—confirmed by God’s approval and assured exaltation. But is this what the Bible means when it says we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13)?

‍We are going to examine the Scriptures carefully that define the true meaning of being sealed by the Spirit—and see whether Joseph Smith’s interpretation truly aligns the Bible.

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The Holy Ghost as a Higher Spiritual Plane

‍‍Joseph Smith strongly emphasized the doctrine that man may become spiritually perfected through Jesus Christ. If a prophet teaches that man may become perfect through Christ, then he must also teach the path that leads toward that perfection.

Joseph Smith taught that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was designed to help the saints spiritually progress—step by step—toward becoming perfected in Christ.

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One of the main principles that Joseph Smith taught on how to obtain perfection is through the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Joseph Smith did not stop with just the Gift of the Holy Ghost, he also taught about the “Holy Spirit of Promise,” one’s “calling and election made sure,” and the “second comforter.”  After one realizes that Jesus Christ is our Savior, he/she must be baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  This spiritual progress does not stop at this point; he/she must continue to progress spiritually.

Spiritual Progression Through the Holy Ghost

One of the central principles Joseph Smith taught concerning this spiritual progression was the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

But Joseph Smith did not stop with simply receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He also taught about:

• the Holy Spirit of Promise,

• one’s Calling and Election Made Sure,

• and the Second Comforter.

According to Joseph Smith, after a person realizes that Jesus Christ is their Savior, they must be baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. But spiritual growth does not stop there. The disciple of Christ should continue progressing spiritually throughout life.

Joseph Smith taught that after receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, the next spiritual plane one should strive for is the Holy Spirit of Promise.

‍The Holy Spirit of Promise

This doctrine was revealed to Joseph Smith on February 16, 1832, during the revelation concerning the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms.

Doctrine & Covenants 76:53

“And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.”

Later, on December 27, 1832, Jesus Christ revealed even more concerning the Holy Spirit of Promise.

Doctrine & Covenants 88:3–5

3…. I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise…

4. The Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom…”

Jesus Christ teaches here that the Holy Spirit of Promise was a divine assurance of eternal life given to those who remain faithful to Him.

But does the New Testament support this teaching?

I believe it absolutely does.

Sealed Unto Eternal Life

Paul uses this exact phrase in Ephesians chapter 1.

Ephesians 1:13, 14:

13….“In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…”

The Earnest of Our Inheritance

Paul describes this sealing as “the earnest of our inheritance.”

An earnest is a guarantee—a down payment assuring that the full inheritance will eventually be received.

And what is that inheritance?

For me, it is returning to the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God.

Paul continues this same teaching later in Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:30:

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Paul also explains that those outside of Christ were once:

Ephesians 2:12:

…“Strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”

‍Built Upon Apostles and Prophets

But through Christ, the saints were no longer strangers.

Ephesians 2:19, 20

19. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone…”

The same principle applies to us today.

We too, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets—with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone—and through the Spirit we are guided toward these promises of eternal life.

‍Calling and Election Made Sure

‍‍Joseph Smith later connected this sealing power of the Holy Spirit of Promise with another biblical doctrine—Calling and Election Made Sure.

Joseph Smith taught that this was a divine assurance that a faithful disciple of Christ would inherit eternal life in the everlasting kingdom of God.

The apostle Peter taught the same principle.

2 Peter 1:10–11

10….“Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

The Second Comforter

Joseph Smith also taught that the “Second Comforter” was Jesus Christ Himself personally manifesting Himself unto the faithful.

Doctrine & Covenants 67:10

“The veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am…”

Now listen carefully to what Jesus taught in the Gospel of John.

John 14:16

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.”

Joseph Smith taught that the “second comforter” which is Jesus Christ himself gave this “calling and election made sure”. 

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Christ Manifesting Himself to the Faithful

Then later in the same chapter:

John 14:21–23

21. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me… and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…

23. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Joseph Smith taught that these verses referred to a real manifestation of the Father and the Son to faithful believers—not merely symbolic language.

‍A Personal Appearance of the Father and the Son

John’s statement about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ making their “abode with him,” to the people, was confirmed to Joseph Smith on April 2, 1843.

Joseph Smith had such a close relationship with Jesus Christ that he could ask Jesus scriptural questions and Jesus would answer him.

In this section 130 of the Doctrine & Covenants, is the gospel question answered about this topic of Christ making His abode with His righteous members.

‍ ‍Doctrine & Covenants 130:3

“John 14:23 – The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal appearance; and the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false.”

So…both the Father and the Son will make personal appearances to righteous followers!

Everyone that has an interest in the writings of John and The Book of Revelation should read this section of the Doctrine & Covenants. Jesus Christ answers several of Joseph Smith’s questions about angels, where they abide, the description of where God lives, the white stone with a new name, the start of the Civil War and several other great to know answers.

The Holy Ghost was never meant to be a one-time experience. According to Joseph Smith—and according to the Bible—it is the beginning of a lifelong ascent back into the presence of God.

‍The Biblical Support Chart. 

‍Now, referring to The Biblical Support Chart, in these two videos concerning the Holy Ghost, I have now presented eight teachings taught by Joseph Smith.

Is the following topic supported in the Bible? Yes or No

1. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that one must be spiritually reborn—or baptized by fire?  Yes

(Matt 3:11; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22,23; Acts 2:4)

2. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that receiving the Holy Ghost is a gift, after baptism? Yes

(John 7:39; John 20:22; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:45)

3. the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that the gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the “laying on of hands?”  Yes

(1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6; Hebrews 6:2)

4. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that the gift of the Holy Ghost overcomes all common sense and earthly wisdom? Yes

(1 Cor 2:4,5; 2 Cor 1:12; 1 Cor 2:10-16)

5. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that the members receive testimony through the Holy Ghost?  Yes

(John 15:26; 1 John 5:6; John 5:34; John 8:32; John 21:24; 1 Cor 1:6; 2 Tim 1:8)

6. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that one may become perfect?  Yes

(Matt 5:48; Col 4:12; Gen 6:9; Job 1:8; Luke 6:40; John 17:23; Eph 4:11,12; Col 1:28; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 112:23)

7. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching about the Holy Spirit of Promise? Yes

(Eph 1:13,14; Eph 4:30; Eph 2:12, 19-22)

8. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching about one’s “calling and election made sure?” Yes

(2 Peter 1:10,11; John 14:16; John 14:21-23; D&C 130:3; 67:10)

There is strong Biblical support for all eight of Joseph Smith’s new teachings concerning the Holy Ghost.

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A Lifelong Ascent Back to God

The doctrines of:

• the Gift of the Holy Ghost,

• the laying on of hands,

• the Holy Spirit of Promise,

• and Calling and Election Made Sure,

all point toward a higher spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Holy Ghost was never meant to be a one-time experience.

According to Joseph Smith—and according to the Bible—it is the beginning of a lifelong ascent back into the presence of God.

I want to share my testimony with you that I know through the power of the Holy Ghost that these teachings are true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that Jesus Christ is my Savior.

These teachings concerning the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit of Promise, and Calling and Election Made Sure are deeply comforting to me.

Knowing that through Jesus Christ we can draw nearer to Him, receive His promises, and eventually inherit eternal life brings tremendous peace and hope.

Please use the Gift of the Holy Ghost to truly come to know our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you so much for joining me.

My next video will be a recap of the Biblical Support Chart for the first six chapters.

And after that comes Chapter 7 — The Bible Perfect and Complete?

This is where I examine Joseph Smith’s statement:

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.”

Wait… the Bible isn’t translated correctly?

Ummmm…

Let’s see.

Thank you, and I hope to see you in my next video!

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